Digital billboards get one green light

A new era of highway billboards may have been quietly ushered in by the U.S. Department of Transportation last month when it issued a memorandum declaring that digital billboards comply with the Highway Beautification Act.

The guidance memo didn’t require public comment or hearings because DOT officials say it was only intended to clarify whether digital billboards violate the ban on “flashing and intermittent lights” on billboards contained in the act. Transportation officials decided digital billboards do not, so now it’s up to states to determine whether they will allow them along interstates and federal highways.

Digital billboards light up with LED lights, often changing images every four to eight seconds, allowing billboards to better capture people’s attention and to advertise more than one company.

Washington was already looking into whether to allow digital billboards along certain highways, said Pat O’Leary, the Washington State Department of Transportation’s highway advertising program manager. Many outdoor advertisers are eager to add the billboards to their inventory, O’Leary said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Transportation is preparing to study whether digital billboards pose a safety hazard by distracting drivers. That study should be complete by the end of 2009, said Transportation spokesman Doug Hecox.

It might not be as simple as the billboards being safe or unsafe, said O’Leary. Certain colors are brighter than others, for instance, so it may be a matter of setting up acceptable parameters for the billboards’ use.

Washington is looking into such issues and will be interested in the federal safety study, he said.

“We don’t want to rush into anything,” O’Leary explained.

Kevin Fry, president of Scenic America, said digital billboards violate the Highway Beautification Act and should be prohibited.

“They’ve told people to go ahead and put them up before they’ve even determined they are safe,” Fry said.

WA no, ID yes

As of Oct. 1, studded snow tires are permitted for use in Idaho.

Washington drivers have to wait until Nov. 1.

Let’s just hope the snow waits at least that long as well.

Crestline almost done

A city of Spokane project to repave Crestline Street from Illinois Avenue to Wellesley Avenue is almost finished.

Crews were scheduled to complete paving over the weekend and are expected to finish work on the road and the intersection of Crestline and Wellesley this week.

The intersection will remain closed to traffic all week.

Road Safe classes

Idaho State Police still have openings for their Oct. 20 Road Safe winter driving class.

The class is at 9 a.m. at the Idaho State Police’s regional office at 602 W. Prairie Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.

It’s free, but you must register by calling (208) 772-6055.

Bridge closing

The Thompson Bridge in Bonner County will close for six months, starting Oct. 15.

The Idaho Transportation Department is tearing down the 70-year-old timber and steel bridge and replacing it with a concrete bridge.

The bridge is east of Hope and north of Old Samowen Road on Idaho Highway 200. Traffic will be detoured to Denton Road during the $1.2 million project.

Slow going

•Monroe Street is reduced to one lane in each direction on the north end of the bridge.

•In Browne’s Addition, Riverside Avenue is closed from Hemlock Street to the Marne Bridge.

•Expect traffic restrictions on eastbound Wellesley Avenue between Division and Lidgerwood streets.

•Five Mile Road is closed from St. Thomas More Way to Strong Road until Oct. 26. Traffic is detoured to Cedar Road as crews work on sewer lines and paving.

•Boone Avenue is closed just east of Ruby Street through November.